THE CHANGES IN EATING HABITS AND LIFESTYLE IN PEOPLE WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS AFTER DIAGNOSIS

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the way the body metabolizes glucose, which is one of the body's main sources of energy. Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes is not an autoimmune disease and develops mainly as a result of unhealthy lifestyle habits. In recent years, an increase in the development of this disease has been observed, showing the importance of relating diet and lifestyle in patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. This research sought, through an online "survey" questionnaire distributed on Google Forms, with 27 questions, to understand whether the diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus had an impact on the dietary and lifestyle changes of those suffering from the disease. It is concluded that people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus changed their lifestyle habits after diagnosis, highlighting a remarkable change in the behavior of participants, with greater adherence among women. This highlights the effectiveness of nutritional education programs and reinforces the importance of a holistic approach, which includes education, emotional support, and health practices, to improve the quality of life of people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.